Tag: photo

Real life stories as a flight service specialist (FSS): the Nav Canada flight information center (FIC) in Québec City

Photography: The St-Jean-sur-Richelieu hot air balloon festival

Post author By Stanley
Post date 24 February 2016

The hot air balloon C-FNHP is being inflated at the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu festival in 2012

The Nav Canada flight service specialists (FSS) working at the flight information center (FIC) at the Quebec Jean-Lesage international airport (CYQB) regularly receive telephone calls from hot air balloon pilots preparing their next flight. Actual and forecasted wind conditions are important, be it on the ground or in the air. But the FSS must also take into account the slightest possibility of a rain shower that would wet the balloon’s envelope, the variation in the convection according to the time of the day which would then affect the winds, the local effects, etc.

Although it is interesting to brief a hot air balloon pilot on the telephone, it is far better to witness their activity when getting ready for a flight. And the effect is even more striking when you position yourself in the middle of a field where more than a hundred hot air balloons lift altogether.

A first group of hot air balloons are autorized to lift at the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu festival in 2012

Summer 2012. A beautiful day was expected in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Blue sky and calm winds were forecasted for the evening. There would certainly be photo opportunities (Canon 5D MKII).

The field where the balloons were being prepared was fenced, but there were here and there openings and it seemed possible to enter the area without attracting too much attention. I made an attempt and could rapidly live the frenzy associated with the preparation and launch of more than one hundred hot air balloons.

Rising hot air balloons in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu in 2012

The balloons progressively took shape and it became possible to see their designs and superb colours. Each team was taking care of the last details that ensure a synchronized launch when the signal would be given. The organizer eventually gave the go ahead signal and the hot air balloons all lifted up within a very short time span. This was a magnificent show!

Hot air ballons at the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Festival in 2012

Visitors at the 2012 St-Jean-sur-Richelieu hot air balloons festival

Few years earlier, during summer 2005, a hot air balloon had flown over our house in Quebec City at about one hundred feet. This was not a normal situation to witness that balloon slowly lose altitude and get closer to electrical wires. I had taken my bike and followed the balloon since it became obvious that the pilot was trying to land, possibly short of propane gas.

The pilot did not have an easy task, flying low over the city streets, close to the wires and other obstacles. The passengers must have been wondering what would be the issue of that flight. Arriving near a school, the pilot had seen a small parking lot and tried to land there, avoiding the church steeple on the other side of the street.

We were few citizens to hang to the basket and immobilize it while the balloon’s envelope was slowly deflating. I was able to take a shot of that unusual balloon’s approach…

Hot air balloon landing on a Quebec City street in 2005

For more real life stories about being a FSS in Quebec City, click on the following link: Flight service specialist (FSS) in Quebec City

Real life stories as a flight service specialist (FSS): the Nav Canada flight information center (FIC) in Québec City

The Nav Canada flight information center (FIC) in Quebec City and the worker using dynamite

Post author By Stanley
Post date 11 February 2016

Thunderstorms in the Province of Quebec in 2012

The Nav Canada flight information center (FIC) in Quebec City (CYQB) does not normally take calls from the general public since air traffic services are centered on the needs of pilots.

But a particularly urgent situation sometimes dictate a more flexible approach. I remember a telephone call we received on the 800 line, during a very hot summer day of 2007. A worker in charge of the installation of dynamite in a mine in the Abitibi region told the flight service specialist (FSS) that he was working for a big company and that an important blasting operation was to be undertaken soon. He was in the middle of the blasting site, having just completed the installation of the detonators and explosives on the whole area.

He was wondering if there could be something he did not know about the weather since there were very dark clouds coming his way. The flight information center FSS was aware of the meteorological situation in Abitibi, and it was certainly not appropriate for a blasting operation. The caller was told that gigantic thunderstorm cells were forming in his sector and that the lightning detectors were already recording hundreds of strikes.

His actual position, in the middle of detonators and dynamite, was certainly problematic, to say the least. Without asking anything else, he told us that he was getting out of the site quickly…

(Photo taken with a Canon 5D MKII)

For more real life stories about being a FSS in Quebec City, click on the following link: Flight service specialist (FSS) in Quebec City

Tags Abitibi, air traffic services, Canon 5D MKII, CYQB, FIC, flight service specialist, FSS, Nav Canada, photo, Quebec City, Quebec flight information center, real life stories, security, thunderstorms, weather, weather photography

Real life stories as a flight service specialist (FSS): Iqaluit FSS

Iqaluit FSS and the Trans Ocean Airways DC-8

Post author By Stanley
Post date 1 January 2016

In 1989, News North journalist Cam Lockerbie wrote an article about the misadventure of passengers who were forced to stay longer than expected in Iqaluit because of a stopover that went wrong.

A Trans Ocean Airways DC-8 on a flight from San Francisco to Great Britain had stopped in Iqaluit, on Canada’s Baffin Island in the Nunavut, to refuel but experienced some problems during the refueling process. The aircraft would not be able to depart before the next day and 220 passengers had to find a place to sleep in Iqaluit.

Impressive efforts were deployed to help those stranded passengers since there was far from enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone. Eventually, the passengers were dispersed throughout the town and, although there were not enough beds for everyone, there was at least a roof provided for the night.

The wing of a Trans Ocean Airlines DC-8 touches a hangar in Iqaluit

The spare parts needed for the broken DC-8 were delivered by charter jet directly from United States. After the repair was done, the DC-8 attempted to move but faced another problem. It had to find enough space to manoeuver between a hangar and an American Trans Air Lockheed L-1011 that was refueling. An airline company employee was requested to guide the DC-8 and ensure that it would not come into contact with the L-1011 or the hangar.

The newspaper article mentioned that the aircraft was not able to move past the hangar and that part of the wing had to be dismantled. What the journalist did not write, certainly because he ignored it, is that there was a contact between the hangar door and the wing tip, in spite of the person walking in front of the DC-8, like you can see on the picture above taken by an Iqaluit flight service station FSS.

On the return flight, the same DC-8 experienced an alternator problem but the engineer’s resourcefullness prevented the passengers to spend another night in Iqaluit. In the following year, the company declared bankruptcy.

American Trans Air Lockheed L-1011 in front of the Iqaluit flight service station in 1989

Canadian Airlines B-737 and Firstair HS-748 in Iqaluit in 1989

For more real life stories as a FSS in Iqaluit, click on the following link: Flight service specialist (FSS) in Iqaluit

Photos of Europe

Photography : France without the terrorist acts

Post author By Stanley
Post date 14 November 2015

One day after the November 13th 2015 deadly attacks, here are few pictures showing the beauty of France. The terrorists have proven nothing and accomplished nothing.

Meal Time in Jardin des Tuileries, Paris

Tags France, Paris, photo, photography

Real life stories as a flight service specialist (FSS): Iqaluit FSS

An improvised demolition worker in Iqaluit

Post author By Stanley
Post date 9 November 2015

Colors of the sky during nightime. Summer 1988, Iqaluit.

Around 1989-1990, there was in Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, a very quiet Inuit living in the same eight floor building as I did. He spent his free time reading while walking, lost in his thoughts like a priest. When we crossed each other on the street, we always exchanged polite greetings.

One evening, as I was about to leave my apartment to go to work the night shift at the Transport Canada flight service station (FSS), I saw in the corridor a man who was really going through an anger crisis, shouting and using all his determination to destroy a wall with a hammer. He was really going at it and the work was moving ahead very well…

I recognized that person that I was greeting almost on a daily basis and I was now facing a problem: To go work at the FSS station, I had to walk very close to him, since there was no other issue out of the building. Was he in such a crisis that he would not remember me?

I got closer and took the chance to pass just behind him. He suddenly stopped hitting the wall, turned around with the hammer in his hand and looked at me. Then he calmly said, like the gentlemen that he usually was: “Good evening!” I replied then walked about ten meters toward the exit before I heard him shout and hit the wall again.

The least I can say is that, some nights, you could witness the most bizarre situations. And when that was preceding a night shift, in an isolated Arctic post, you sometimes had the feeling to be living in a surreal world.

I do not know how the story ended. The next morning, back from the night shift, I entered a building where everything was peaceful. The only trace left by the man in crisis was a damaged wall. Very soon, somebody would come and repair the wall and that event would rapidly be erased from memories.

For more real life stories as a FSS in Iqaluit, click on the following link: Flight service specialist (FSS) in Iqaluit

Tags air traffic services, Arctic, Baffin Island, bizarre, Canada, CYFB, flight service specialist, flight service station, Frobisher Bay airport, FSS, Inuit, Iqaluit, Iqaluit airport, night photography, Nunavut, photo, real life stories, sunset, Transport Canada

Street photography

Street photography in Geneva : big wheels are for the kids

Post author By Stanley
Post date 7 November 2015

Street photography means always carrying a camera with you in order to avoid missing opportunities. As I was watching a little boy on his big wheeled bike in Geneva, the exact opposite zoomed by me riding a scooter with tiny wheels. I just had the time to take a photo for the comparison!

For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:

Street photography

Tags Canon 5D MKII, Geneva, photo, street photography

Street photography

Street photography: a pedestrian seems confused by the Glasgow road signs

Post author By Stanley
Post date 5 November 2015

Street photography sometimes depends on luck to capture unusual scenes. In Scotland, in downtown Glasgow, I saw this pedestrian who finished crossing the street using a different way of walking. The fact that he was so close to two road signs forbidding to turn left and right help to make for an amusing scene. It seemed that he did not know how to position himself in order to obey the law and continue his walk!

Street photography: two road signs seem to confuse a pedestrian in Glasgow

For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:

Street photography

Tags Glasgow, photo, Scotland, street photography

Photos of Canada

Photography: Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and David Johnston in Ottawa , October 22nd 2015

Post author By Stanley
Post date 26 October 2015

On October 22nd 2015, in Ottawa, a ceremonial service commemorated the anniversary of the attacks that killed two Canadian soldiers in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa: Warrant officer Patrick Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Both families were present at the ceremony.

Policemen on motorcycles in Ottawa, on October 22nd 2015, ahead of the ceremony honoring Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrick Vincent

As one could expected, major security measures were put in place. View of the ceremony was partly blocked by all kind of obstacles and the crowd was held at a good distance by fences and an army of policemen.

Part of the crowd standing near the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

I was nonetheless lucky enough to find one of the few spots that provided a direct view on the ceremony and the dignitaries.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Stephen Harper shake hands during the ceremony in honor of Nathan Cirillo and Patrick Vincent held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Using a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L II USM equipped with an extender, and benefiting from an ideal random positioning of the multiple secret service agents, policemen, soldiers and officers of all kinds, few other photos were made possible.

A first handshake was visible between Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper, under the eyes of Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.

First handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial of Canada in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Few dignitaries who were present at the ceremony: The Ottawa mayor, Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper.

Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2015

On several occasions, Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper were able to exchange a few words.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

Four CF-18s flew over the crowd, at good speed. I was lucky enough to take a picture of one of them. For those photographers who could be interested, the camera speed was 1/8000 sec, the focal length 400mm and aperture 5.6.

One of four F-18s over the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper then raised and walk toward the National War Memorial in order to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada.

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

On the left of the picture below, it is possible to see some of the Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s family members.

Nathan Cirillo family members are sitting behind Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

A second handshake, more assertive this time, was exchanged between Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper.

Second handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 2015

Comforting words were pronounced by a few people, among them the Governor General of Canada and the military chaplain.

The military chaplain at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife are shown leaving at the end of the ceremony.

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

A serious handshake was exchanged between the Ottawa Mayor, Jim Watson, and the Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau. Justin Trudeau’s both hands covering Jim Watson’s was certainly a sign that real cooperation could be expected.

Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and Justin Trudeau in Ottawa 2015

Soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of which Nathan Cirillo belonged, did a march- about under high protection. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the National War Memorial in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo and the same will be done next year for Warrant officer Patrick Vincent.

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Parade in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

Unveiling a commemorative plaque in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

Photos of Canada

Photography : The new Prime Minister-designate of Canada, Justin Trudeau, arrives in Ottawa

Post author By Stanley
Post date 24 October 2015

Luck was certainly needed to be able to catch the arrival in Ottawa of Justin Trudeau as the new Prime Minister-designate of Canada, after the historical Liberal Party win of October 2015.

Like it often happens after a long photography session, there is a last minute opportunity that allows some totally unexpected shots.

Just as I finished packing my Canon 5D MKII and camera equipment, I saw a policeman on a motorcycle who was blocking the traffic on Wellington street. He was giving way to the Liberal Party campaign bus.

The Liberal Party campaign bus with the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau on board arrives in Ottawa on October 20th 2015.

Estimating that the new Prime Minister-designate of Canada was on board, I took the chance to run back to the Ottawa Parliament. Climbing the stairs two by two, I arrived at the same time as the bus. A Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM was quickly installed to make sure that the photos would be in a wide enough format.

Numerous policemen were taking care of security but I was able to get close enough since there was only twenty or thirty people present, the arrival of a Prime Minister being held secret for obvious security reasons. Few seconds only were needed before Justin Trudeau got out of the bus and turned around to salute the crowd.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau arrives at the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015

He then climbed few stairs, turned around again and showed the thumb up sign.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau as he prepared to enter the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015

It was only the second time in the history of Canada that a political party ranking third won an election while forming at the same time a majority government, and the first time that a father and his son had been elected Prime Minister of Canada.

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

Tags Canada, Canadian politics, Canon 5D MKII, Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM, Justin Trudeau, Liberal Party of Canada, majority government, Ontario, Ottawa, Ottawa Parliament, photo, photography, police, political party, Prime Minister of Canada, security

Photos of Canada Photos of Quebec

Photography in the Province of Quebec : Tewkesbury 2015

Post author By Stanley
Post date 18 October 2015

Profiting from the autumnal season to do some photography, I visited the Tewkesbury region, near Quebec City, were there are always interesting point of views. First, near the Tewkesbury church :

Then, following a trail heading to the Jacques-Cartier river, I was able to take few shots, sometimes under an overcast sky and, on few occasions, with the sun shining through clouds :

All the photos were taken with a Canon 5D MKII DSLR camera. I mostly used two lens : a Canon 14mm 2.8L fixed lens and a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM.

For other photos on the province of Quebec and also Quebec City, click on the following links from my blog:

Province of Quebec Photos

Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Autumn

Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Winter

Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Spring

Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Summer

Tags autumn, Canon 14mm 2.8L, Canon 5D MKII, Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM, photo, photography, Québec, Quebec City, Tewkesbury